System and method for call forwarding synchronization in a communication system

ABSTRACT

In one aspect of the invention, a method for call forwarding synchronization includes allowing a telephone subsystem to forward calls for a telephonic device to a first call forwarding destination. The method also includes allowing a wireless subsystem to forward calls for a mobile station to a second call forwarding destination. The mobile station is associated with the telephonic device. The method further includes determining a registration state of the mobile station. In addition, the method includes synchronizing the call forwarding destinations for the mobile station and the telephonic device in response to a change to at least one of the registration state, the first call forwarding destination, and the second call forwarding destination.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application shares a common specification with U.S.application Ser. No. ______filed on Feb. 12, 2001 for a “System andMethod for Call Forwarding in a Communication System.”

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of communicationsystems, and more particularly to a system and method for callforwarding synchronization in a communication system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Call forwarding is a feature typically supported in manycommunication systems. Call forwarding allows a user in thecommunication system to forward telephone calls directed at onetelephone device to another telephone device. To use the call forwardingfeature, the user or “subscriber” typically needs to enter a code in thetelephone being forwarded and instruct the telephone system where toforward the calls.

[0004] A problem with conventional communication systems is that theuser typically needs to manually activate and deactivate the callforwarding feature. For example, an employee of a company may have awireless mobile phone, also called a “mobile station,” and a desk phone.To forward calls from the desk phone to the mobile phone, the employeeneeds to manually instruct the telephone system to forward calls for thedesk phone to the mobile phone. If the employee wants to deactivate thecall forwarding feature before leaving work, the employee must pick up aphone and manually deactivate the call forwarding feature in thetelephone system. This is a time consuming process. If the employeeoften changes locations throughout the day, it becomes even more timeconsuming to forward and unforward multiple telephones.

[0005] Because the user typically must activate and deactivate the callforwarding feature manually, the user may forgot to turn the callforwarding feature for one or more telephones on or off. As a result,the call forwarding for the telephones may become unsynchronized. Forexample, a user's mobile phone may be forwarded to one location whilethe user's desk phone may be forwarded to another location. When thecall forwarding becomes unsynchronized, the user may receive calls atunwanted times or at unwanted telephones. Also, a person attempting tocontact the user may be unable to reach the user because calls to theuser's telephones are being forwarded to different locations.

[0006] As a result of any of these or other disadvantages, previous callforwarding synchronization techniques have been inadequate in manycommunication systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a system and method forcall forwarding synchronization in a communication system are providedthat substantially eliminate or reduce disadvantages and problemsassociated with conventional systems. In particular, a communicationsystem helps to ensure that a mobile station and a telephonic device areeither forwarded to the same location, or one of the devices isforwarded to the other device.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a systemfor call forwarding synchronization includes a telephone subsystemoperable to communicate with a telephonic device. The telephonesubsystem is also operable to forward calls for the telephonic device toa first call forwarding destination. The system also includes a wirelesssubsystem operable to communicate with a mobile station. The mobilestation is associated with the telephonic device. The wireless subsystemis also operable to forward calls for the mobile station to a secondcall forwarding destination. The wireless subsystem is further operableto determine a registration state of the mobile station and tosynchronize the call forwarding destinations for the mobile station andthe telephonic device in response to a change to at least one of theregistration state, the first call forwarding destination, and thesecond call forwarding destination.

[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, a method for callforwarding synchronization includes allowing a telephone subsystem toforward calls for a telephonic device to a first call forwardingdestination. The method also includes allowing a wireless subsystem toforward calls for a mobile station to a second call forwardingdestination. The mobile station is associated with the telephonicdevice. The method further includes determining a registration state ofthe mobile station. In addition, the method includes synchronizing thecall forwarding destinations for the mobile station and the telephonicdevice in response to a change to at least one of the registrationstate, the first call forwarding destination, and the second callforwarding destination.

[0010] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a system for callforwarding synchronization includes a telephone subsystem operable tocommunicate with a telephonic device. The telephone subsystem is alsooperable to forward calls for the telephonic device to a first callforwarding destination. The system also includes a client operable tocommunicate with the telephonic subsystem. The client is associated withthe telephonic device. The system further includes a gateway operable tocommunicate with the client. In addition, the system includes agatekeeper operable to instruct the gateway to forward calls for theclient to a second call forwarding destination. The gatekeeper is alsooperable to determine an activation state of the client and tosynchronize the call forwarding destinations for the telephonic deviceand the client in response to a change to at least one of the activationstate, the first call forwarding destination, and the second callforwarding destination.

[0011] Numerous technical advantages are provided according to variousembodiments of the present invention. Particular embodiments of theinvention may exhibit none, some, or all of the following advantages.For example, in one embodiment, a system for call forwardingsynchronization is provided. In a particular embodiment, the systemhelps to synchronize the call forwarding destinations of a telephonicdevice and a mobile station when the mobile station registers with thecommunication system. For example, after detecting the mobile stationregistration, the system may determine whether the mobile station andthe telephonic device are forwarded to the same location, or whether oneof the devices is forwarded to the other device. If not, the systemforwards one of the devices to the appropriate location. By detectingthe registration of the mobile station in the communication system andsynchronizing the call forwarding destinations, the system reduces oreliminates the need for the subscriber to manually synchronize the callforwarding destinations. The system may forward telephone calls to thesubscriber's mobile station, the subscriber's telephonic device, oranother location without having to wait for the subscriber to manuallyforward the calls. The system may also change or deactivate the callforwarding feature when needed to maintain synchronization between themobile station and the telephonic device. This also reduces oreliminates the need for the subscriber to manually deactivate or changethe call forwarding feature.

[0012] Another advantage of at least some embodiments of the inventionis that the subscriber may be contacted using a single telephone numberand/or extension number. In a particular embodiment, the system helps toensure that a telephonic device and a mobile station are forwarded tothe same destination, or that one of the devices is forwarded to theother. As a result, a person attempting to contact the subscriber mayneed to dial only one telephone number to reach the subscriber. Bymaintaining synchronization between the call forwarding destinations,the system helps to ensure that a telephone call to the subscriber isdelivered to the same destination, whether the person calling thesubscriber dials the subscriber's mobile station or telephonic device.This helps to increase the ease at which the subscriber may becontacted.

[0013] Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one of skillin the art from the attached figures, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] To provide a more complete understanding of the present inventionand features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system forcall forwarding;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary systemfor call forwarding;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for callforwarding in a communication system;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forforwarding calls for a telephone to a mobile station;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary method forforwarding calls for a telephone to a mobile station;

[0020]5FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating yet another exemplarymethod for forwarding calls for a telephone to a mobile station;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forsynchronizing call forwarding in a communication system;

[0022]FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forestablishing a call forwarding destination for a mobile station;

[0023]FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forestablishing a call forwarding destination for a telephone associatedwith a mobile station;

[0024]FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary methodfor establishing a call forwarding destination for a telephoneassociated with a mobile station;

[0025]FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forestablishing a call forwarding destination for a telephone associatedwith a deregistered mobile station;

[0026]FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating yet another exemplarysystem for call forwarding;

[0027]FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating still another exemplarysystem for call forwarding; and

[0028]FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary methodfor call forwarding in a communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system 100 forcall forwarding. In the illustrated embodiment, system 100 includes awireless subsystem 102, a packet subsystem 104, and a telephonesubsystem 106. Other embodiments of system 100 may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

[0030] In one aspect of operation, one or more mobile stations 108communicate with wireless subsystem 102, and one or more telephones 110communicate with telephone subsystem 106. A mobile station 108 may beassociated with one or more telephones 110, such as when a subscriberusing mobile station 108 also has a desk telephone 110 in an office.When mobile station 108 registers with wireless subsystem 102 and/orpacket subsystem 104, telephone calls directed at telephone 110 may beforwarded to mobile station 108. For example, a call forwarding feature(CF) 112 in telephone subsystem 106 may be used to forward calls for theassociated telephone 110 to mobile station 108. When mobile station 108deregisters with wireless subsystem 102 and/or packet subsystem 104,system 100 may stop forwarding calls for telephone 110 to mobile station108. By forwarding telephone calls to mobile station 108 when mobilestation 108 registers with system 100 and unforwarding telephone 110when mobile station 108 deregisters with system 100, system 100 reducesor eliminates the need for a subscriber to manually forward andunforward telephone 110. This also reduces or eliminates the likelihoodthat the subscriber using mobile station 108 will forget to activate ordeactivate the call forwarding feature. In addition, the subscriberusing mobile station 108 may be contacted using a single telephonenumber and/or extension number. Because system 100 automaticallyforwards telephone calls for telephone 110 to mobile station 108, aperson attempting to contact the subscriber need dial only one telephonenumber, and the subscriber will receive the telephone call on mobilestation 108.

[0031] Wireless subsystem 102 is coupled to packet subsystem 104. Inthis document, the term “couple” refers to any direct or indirectcommunication between two or more elements, whether or not thoseelements are in physical contact with one another. Wireless subsystem102 communicates with mobile station 108 over a wireless interface.Wireless subsystem 102 also allows mobile station 108 to communicatewith telephone subsystem 106 through packet subsystem 104. Wirelesssubsystem 102 may, for example, receive information from mobile station108 and communicate the information to packet subsystem 104. Wirelesssubsystem 102 may also receive information from packet subsystem 104 andcommunicate the information to mobile station 108. Wireless subsystem102 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, or combinationthereof operable to communicate with mobile station 108 over a wirelessinterface. Wireless subsystem 102 may, for example, comprise a GlobalSystem for Mobile communication (GSM) system, an Electronic IndustryAlliance/Telecommunication Industry Association (EIA/TIA) IS-136 system,or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system.

[0032] Packet subsystem 104 is coupled to wireless subsystem 102 andtelephone subsystem 106. Packet subsystem 104 is operable to transferinformation between wireless subsystem 102 and telephone subsystem 106.Packet subsystem 104 may, for example, transport datagrams containinginformation between wireless subsystem 102 and telephone subsystem 106.Packet subsystem 104 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, orcombination thereof operable to transport datagrams between wirelesssubsystem 102 and telephone subsystem 106. In one embodiment, packetsubsystem 104 supports the International TelecommunicationsUnion-Telecommunications (ITU-T) H.323 protocols to transport datagramsbetween wireless subsystem 102 and telephone subsystem 106.

[0033] Packet subsystem 104 may communicate with telephone subsystem 106using one or more interfaces. In one embodiment, packet subsystem 104communicates bearer traffic over an interface 114, and packet subsystem104 communicates signaling information over interface 114 and/or aComputer Telephony Integration (CTI) interface 116. Interface 114 maycomprise any suitable interface operable to transport bearer and/orsignaling traffic, such as a trunk interface or a plurality of lineinterfaces. CTI interface 116 may, for example, comprise an Ethernet oran X.25 packet interface.

[0034] Packet subsystem 104 may communicate with wireless subsystem 102using one or more clients 122. Client 122 may, for example, receiveinformation from mobile station 108 through wireless subsystem 102,place the information into one or more datagrams, and communicate thedatagrams across packet subsystem 104. Client 122 may also receive oneor more datagrams over packet subsystem 104 from telephone subsystem106, extract the information contained in the datagrams, and communicatethe information to mobile station 108 through wireless subsystem 102.Client 122 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, or combinationthereof operable to facilitate communication between wireless subsystem102 and packet subsystem 104. In one embodiment, client 122 comprises awireless adjunct internet platform or other suitable gateway to wirelesssubsystem 102.

[0035] Telephone subsystem 106 is coupled to packet subsystem 104 and toone or more telephones 110. Telephone subsystem 106 facilitatescommunication with telephones 110. Telephone subsystem 106 may, forexample, establish a telephone call between a first telephone 110 a anda second telephone 110 b. Telephone subsystem 106 may also facilitatecommunication between a telephone 110 and a mobile station 108 bycommunicating with packet subsystem 104 over interfaces 114 and/or 116.Telephone subsystem 106 may comprise any suitable hardware, software,firmware, or combination thereof operable to facilitate communicationbetween telephone 110 and mobile station 108. Telephone subsystem 106may, for example, comprise a private branch exchange (PBX), a KeySystem, a central office switch, a wireless telephone switch, apacket-based soft switch, or any other suitable circuit-switched and/orpacket-switched system.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, telephone subsystem 106 includesat least one processor 118 operable to execute instructions stored in amemory 120, and packet subsystem 104 includes at least one processor 124operable to execute instructions stored in a memory 126. In a particularembodiment, processor 118 may be operable to execute a CTI serversoftware program to support CTI interface 116, and processor 124 may beoperable to execute a corresponding CTI client software package tosupport CTI interface 116. The CTI software may, for example, implementthe European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) standardsECMA-179 and ECMA-180 for Computer Supported TelecommunicationsApplications (CSTA). In a particular embodiment, processors 118 and 124execute the CT CONNECT software package. Processors 118 and 124 may usethe CTI interface, for example, to activate and deactivate callforwarding feature 112 or otherwise control telephone subsystem 106.

[0037] Mobile station 108 communicates with wireless subsystem 102 overa wireless interface. Mobile station 108 may comprise any suitablewireless device operable to communicate with and roam within wirelesssubsystem 102. Mobile station 108 may, for example, comprise a mobiletelephone or a computer coupled to a wireless modem or radio unit. Inone embodiment, mobile station 108 may register with wireless subsystem102 using the method described in U.S. application Ser. No. ______ ,entitled “Method and System for Selecting a Preferred Cell in a WirelessCommunication System.” Mobile station 108 may also comprise a dual modemobile station operable to communicate with wireless subsystem 102 usinga first protocol and with a public network using a second protocol. In aparticular embodiment, mobile station 108 comprises a dual modeGSM/IS-136 mobile handset. Other embodiments of mobile station 108 maybe used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0038] Telephone 110 is coupled to telephone subsystem 106. Telephone110 may comprise any suitable wireline or wireless telephonic deviceoperable to communicate with telephone subsystem 106. In this document,the phrase “telephonic device” refers to any hardware, software,firmware, or combination thereof operable to provide voice phoneservices. Telephone 110 may, for example, comprise a fixed telephone, awireless mobile station, a voice over packet telephone, or a computerexecuting a telephonic application.

[0039] In one aspect of operation, mobile station 108 may be associatedwith one or more telephones 110. In one embodiment, mobile station 108is associated with one telephone 110. Mobile station 108 may registerwith system 100, such as when mobile station 108 is turned on or roamsinto wireless subsystem 102. When mobile station 108 registers withsystem 100, packet subsystem 104 signals telephone subsystem 106 toforward calls for the associated telephone 110 to mobile station 108.While mobile station 108 is registered in system 100, each call for thesubscriber is directed to mobile station 108. For example, if a call ismade to the subscriber's telephone 110, the call is forwarded to thesubscriber's mobile station 108 through the packet subsystem 104 and thewireless subsystem 102. If another mobile station 108 calls thesubscriber's mobile station 108 or the subscriber's telephone 110, thecall is routed through wireless subsystem 102 without being routedthrough telephone subsystem 106.

[0040] Mobile station 108 may also deregister with system 100, such aswhen mobile station 108 is turned off or roams out of wireless subsystem102. When mobile station 108 deregisters with system 100, packetsubsystem 104 signals telephone subsystem 106 to stop forwarding callsfor the associated telephone 110 to mobile station 108. In a particularembodiment, packet subsystem 104 also forwards calls for thederegistered mobile station 108 to the telephone 110 associated withmobile station 108. In this embodiment, while mobile station 108 isderegistered with system 100, each call for the subscriber is directedto telephone 110. If a call is made to the subscriber's mobile station108, the call is routed to telephone 110 through packet subsystem 104and telephone subsystem 106.

[0041] System 100 may use any suitable method to forward calls for atelephone 110 to a mobile station 108. In one embodiment, as mobilestation 108 registers and deregisters with system 100, processor 124 mayinstruct processor 118 over CTI interface 116 or interface 114 toactivate or deactivate the call forwarding feature 112. When mobilestation 108 is registered, processor 118 may forward calls for telephone110 to packet subsystem 104, which communicates the calls to mobilestation 108 through wireless subsystem 102.

[0042] In another embodiment, processor 124 may use a remote callforwarding feature 128 in telephone subsystem 106 to forward calls fortelephone 110 to mobile station 108. Remote call forwarding feature 128may, for example, allow one telephone 110 to activate or deactivate thecall forwarding feature 112 for another telephone 110. Using remote callforwarding feature 128, processor 124 may instruct processor 118 toforward calls for telephone 110 to packet subsystem 104, whichcommunicates the call to mobile station 108.

[0043] In yet another embodiment, processor 124 may instruct processor118 to monitor a telephone 110 using a monitoring feature (MF) 130. Whenprocessor 118 detects an incoming call for a telephone 110 usingmonitoring feature 130, processor 118 informs processor 124 of the call.If the mobile station 108 associated with the telephone 110 isregistered in system 100, processor 124 instructs processor 118 todeflect the call to packet subsystem 104 through interface 114 using adeflection feature (DF) 132. Packet subsystem 104 receives the call overinterface 114 and communicates the call to mobile station 108.

[0044] Although FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of system 100, variouschanges may be made to system 100 without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. For example, packet subsystem 104 may communicatewith telephone subsystem 106 over interface 114, without the use of aCTI interface 116. Also, any suitable number and/or types of telephones110 may be used with telephone subsystem 106, and any suitable number ofmobile stations 108 may communicate with wireless subsystem 102.Further, although FIG. 1 illustrates wireless subsystem 102, packetsubsystem 104, and telephone subsystem 106 as distinct entities, one ormore of the subsystems may be combined without departing from the scopeof the present invention. For example, packet subsystem 104 may becontained within wireless subsystem 102. In addition, functionsdescribed as residing within one element of system 100 may beimplemented in other elements of system 100. Beyond that, the inventionmay be implemented in system 100 using any logic stored in at least onecomputer processable medium. The logic may be encoded in hardware,software instructions, and/or firmware instructions stored in anysuitable device such as, for example, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Other changes may bemade without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0045]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary system200 for call forwarding. In the illustrated embodiment, system 200includes one or more base stations (BTS) 250, one or more WirelessAdjunct Internet Platforms (WARP) 252, a packet network 254, anintegrated communications server 256, a gateway 258, and a PBX 260.Other embodiments of system 200 may be used without departing from thescope of the present invention.

[0046] Base station 250 is coupled to WARP 252. Base station 250provides bidirectional communication with mobile stations 208 in aspecified geographic area over a wireless interface 262. Base station250 also transfers information between mobile station 208 and WARP 252.Base station 250 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, orcombination thereof operable to communicate with mobile stations 208over a wireless interface. Base station 250 may, for example, compriseone or more transceivers operable to exchange circuit-switched and/orpacket-switched information with mobile station 208.

[0047] Wireless interface 262 facilitates communication between mobilestation 208 and base station 250. Wireless interface 262 may compriseany wireless interface operable to transfer circuit-switched and/orpacket-switched information between mobile station 208 and base station250. Interface 262 may, for example, comprise a GSM General Packet RadioService (GSM/GPRS) interface or a GSM Enhanced Data rates for GSMEvolution (GSM/EDGE) interface.

[0048] WARP 252 is coupled to base station 250 by an interface 264 andto packet network 254. WARP 252 facilitates communication between mobilestations 208 and PBX 260 by transporting voice and/or data informationbetween base station 250 and packet network 254. In one embodiment, WARP252 communicates with mobile station 208 through base station 250 usinga circuit-switched protocol, and WARP 252 communicates with packetnetwork 254 using a packet-switched protocol. In this embodiment, WARP252 also performs an interworking function to translate between thecircuit-switched and packet-switched protocols. For example, WARP 252may convert between the GSM 04.08 and 08.60 protocols used by mobilestation 208 and the ITU-T H.323 protocols used by integratedcommunications server 256 and gateway 258. In addition, WARP 252packetizes information from mobile station 208 into datagrams fortransmission over packet network 254, and WARP 252 depacketizesinformation contained in datagrams received over packet network 254.WARP 252 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, or combinationthereof operable to facilitate communication between base station 250and packet network 254.

[0049] Interface 264 is coupled to base station 250 and WARP 252.Interface 264 may comprise any suitable interface operable to transfercircuit-switched and/or packet-switched information between base station250 and WARP 252. Interface 264 may, for example, comprise a GSM Abiswireline interface.

[0050] Packet network 254 is coupled to WARP 252, integratedcommunications server 256, and gateway 258. Packet network 254transports datagrams from one network address in packet network 254 toanother network address. In addition, packet network 254 may be coupledto and communicate with external data or voice networks, such as theInternet or a public land mobile network. Packet network 254 maycomprise any suitable packet-switched network. Packet network 254 may,for example, comprise a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network(WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a portion of a global computernetwork such as the Internet, or any other communications system orsystems at one or more locations.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, integrated communications server256 includes a gatekeeper 266, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)server 268, a subscriber location register (SLR) 270, and a teleworkingserver 272. Although FIG. 2 illustrates integrated communications server256 as comprising all four of these components, any or all of thesecomponents may be implemented on a separate platform or platformswithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0052] Gatekeeper 266 provides call control services for mobile stations208, WARPs 252, and gateway 258. For example, gatekeeper 266 tracks thelocation of mobile stations 208, and gatekeeper 266 routes calls for amobile station 208 to and from the WARP 252 currently serving thatmobile station 208. This allows subscribers using mobile stations 208 toroam between geographic areas covered by different base stations 250.Gatekeeper 266 also performs address translation to convert the phonenumber associated with mobile station 208 to a network address of WARP252 serving that mobile station 208. In addition, gatekeeper 266performs call forwarding functions in system 200. Gatekeeper 266 may,for example, instruct PBX 260 to forward calls for a telephone 210 to amobile station 208. Gatekeeper 266 may communicate signaling informationto PBX 260 over CTI interface 216 or through gateway 258. Gatekeeper 266may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereofoperable to provide call control services in system 200.

[0053] WAP server 268 stores subscriber information used to allow mobilestations 208 to execute data-based applications and receive data-basedservices. WAP server 268 may, for example, allow mobile stations 208 tosend and receive e-mail, access an enterprise's intranet such as packetnetwork 254, or access the Internet. WAP server 268 may comprise anysuitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof operableto provide WAP functionality to mobile stations 208.

[0054] Subscriber location register 270 stores subscriber managementinformation for mobile stations 208. For example, subscriber locationregister 270 may store general subscriber management informationdownloaded from a public network when mobile station 208 roams intosystem 200. Subscriber location register 270 also stores eachsubscriber's extension number, direct dial number, and any otherinformation that is specific to system 200. Subscriber location register270 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, or combinationthereof operable to store subscriber management information. Subscriberlocation register 270 may, for example, comprise a SUN workstation witha database.

[0055] Teleworking server 272 supports teleworking services in system200. Teleworking server 272 may, for example, allow a user of system 200to access information and/or communication capabilities of system 200from remote locations. The user of telephone 210 may access teleworkingserver 272 and inform teleworking server 272 of the user's currentlocation. Teleworking server 272 may allow the user to use a remotetelephone and to receive the same features as if the user was usingtelephone 210, even if the remote telephone is outside of system 200.Teleworking server 272 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, orcombination thereof operable to provide teleworking services in system200.

[0056] Gateway 258 is coupled to packet network 254 and PBX 260. Gateway258 may also be coupled to a public network, such as a public switchedtelephone network. Gateway 258 transfers information between packetnetwork 254 and PBX 260. In one embodiment, gateway 258 communicateswith packet network 254 using a packet-switched protocol and with PBX260 using a circuit-switched protocol. In this embodiment, gateway 258also performs an interworking function to translate between thepacket-switched and circuit-switched protocols. In a particularembodiment, gateway 258 converts between the ITU-T H.323 protocols usedby WARP 252 and integrated communications server 256 and thecircuit-switched protocols used by PBX 260. In addition, gateway 258packetizes information into datagrams for transmission over packetnetwork 254, and gateway 258 depacketizes information contained indatagrams received over packet network 254. Gateway 258 may communicatebearer and signaling information to PBX 260 over interface 214. Gateway258 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, or combinationthereof operable to facilitate communication between packet network 254and PBX 260.

[0057] PBX 260 is coupled to gateway 258 and to one or more telephones210. PBX 260 may also be coupled to one or more public networks, such asa public land mobile network and a public switched telephone network.PBX 260 transfers information between telephones 210 and/or betweengateway 258 and telephones 210. PBX 260 may comprise any suitablecircuit-switched and/or packet-switched network operable to facilitatecommunication between telephone 210 and gateway 258.

[0058] In one aspect of operation, mobile station 208 may register withWARP 252, and WARP 252 informs gatekeeper 266 that mobile station 208has registered in system 200. Registration may occur, for example, whena subscriber turns on mobile station 208 or roams into a geographic areamonitored by base station 250. After registration, system 200 forwardscalls for a telephone 210 associated with mobile station 208 to thatmobile station 208. System 200 may also stop forwarding calls to mobilestation 208 when mobile station 208 deregisters with system 200.Deregistration may occur, for example, when a subscriber turns offmobile station 208 or roams out of the geographic area monitored by basestations 250 in system 200. After deregistration, system 200 may routecalls for the deregistered mobile station 208 to the telephone 210associated with mobile station 208.

[0059] System 200 may use any suitable method for forwarding callsdirected at a telephone 210 to a mobile station 208. In one embodiment,PBX 260 includes a call forwarding feature 212, such as a Call ForwardUnconditional feature. This feature 212 may, for example, be supportedby CTI software stored in memory 220 and executed by processor 218 inPBX 260. In a particular embodiment, WARP 252 and/or gatekeeper 266instructs PBX 260 to invoke feature 212 and forward calls for telephone210 to gateway 258. For example, processor 224 in gatekeeper 266 mayexecute CTI software stored in memory 226, and processor 224 mayinstruct processor 218 in PBX 260 to activate or deactivate callforwarding feature 212. Gateway 258 receives and forwards the calls tomobile station 208 over packet network 254, WARP 252, and base station250. WARP 252 or gatekeeper 266 may instruct PBX 260 to invoke callforwarding feature 212 and forward calls to gateway 258 using the CTIinterface 216 or through an administration port (ADMIN) 278.

[0060] In another embodiment, WARP 252 and/or gatekeeper 266 may includea telephone emulator card 274. Card 274 appears to PBX 260 as atelephone 210. In this embodiment, PBX 260 may support a Remote CallForwarding feature (RCF) 228, which allows call forwarding feature 212to be activated and deactivated from another telephone 210. Using thetelephone emulator card 274, WARP 252 or gatekeeper 266 instructs PBX260 to activate or deactivate call forwarding feature 212 using theremote call forwarding feature 228.

[0061] In yet another embodiment, PBX 260 may support a call monitoringfeature 230 and a call deflection feature 232. These features may, forexample, be supported by CTI software stored in memory 220 and executedby processor 218. Processor 218 in PBX 260 may monitor a telephone 210using monitoring feature 230 and wait for an alert event, whichindicates that an incoming call for telephone 210 exists. When processor218 detects an alert event for a monitored telephone 210, processor 224determines if the mobile station 208 associated with telephone 210 isregistered in system 200. If the mobile station 208 is registered,processor 224 instructs processor 218 in PBX 260 to deflect the incomingcall to gateway 258 over interface 214 using deflection feature 232.

[0062] In still another embodiment, when mobile station 208 registers insystem 200, WARP 252 or gatekeeper 266 may instruct teleworking server272 to treat mobile station 208 as a remote location for telephone 210.Teleworking server 272 then instructs PBX 260 to forward calls fortelephone 210 to mobile station 208 using remote call forwarding feature228.

[0063] Although FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of system 200, variouschanges may be made to system 200 without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. For example, any number of base stations 250 maybe coupled to each WARP 252, and any number of WARPs 252 may be coupledto packet network 254. Also, although FIG. 2 illustrates a PBX 260coupled to gateway 258, other telephone systems may be coupled togateway 258, such as a Key System, a central office switch, a wirelesstelephone switch, a packet-based soft switch, or any other suitablecircuit-switched and/or packet-switched system. Further, althoughgatekeeper 266 and gateway 258 are illustrated as separate entities,both may be implemented in an integrated platform. In addition,functions described as residing within one element of system 200 may beimplemented in other elements of system 200. Beyond that, the inventionmay be implemented in system 200 using any logic stored in at least onecomputer processable medium. Other changes may be made to system 200without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0064]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 300 forcall forwarding in a communication system. System 100 directs calls to atelephone 110 in a telephone subsystem 106 at step 302. This mayinclude, for example, telephone subsystem 106 receiving a call from apublic network, another telephone 110 in telephone subsystem 106, or amobile station 108. System 100 detects a mobile station 108 associatedwith a telephone 110 at step 304. This may include, for example, mobilestation 108 registering with wireless subsystem 102 and/or packetsubsystem 104, such as by communicating a registration signal towireless subsystem 102. System 100 forwards calls for the telephone 110in the telephone subsystem 106 to the mobile station 108 at step 306.This may include, for example, wireless subsystem 102 and/or packetsubsystem 104 instructing telephone subsystem 106 to forward calls fortelephone 110 to mobile station 108. System 100 loses contact withmobile station 108 at step 308. This may include, for example, mobilestation 108 deregistering from system 100, such as when a subscriberturns off mobile station 108 or roams outside the geographic areacovered by wireless subsystem 102. System 100 stops forwarding calls fortelephone 110 to mobile station 108 at step 310. This may include, forexample, wireless subsystem 102 and/or packet subsystem 104 clearing thecall forwarding feature in telephone subsystem 106.

[0065] Although FIG. 3 has been described with respect to system 100,method 300 may be used with any suitable communication system. Method300 may be used, for example, in a system having a packet subsystem 104and a telephone subsystem 106, without a wireless subsystem 102. In thisembodiment, method 300 may forward calls directed at telephone 110 to apacket-based client coupled to packet subsystem 104.

[0066]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 400 forforwarding calls for a telephone to a mobile station. A mobile station208 registers with system 200 at step 402. This may include, forexample, a subscriber turning on mobile station 208 or roaming into thegeographic area covered by system 200. This may also include mobilestation 208 communicating a registration signal to base station 250,which communicates the signal to WARP 252. WARP 252 may then informgatekeeper 266 of the registration. System 200 instructs PBX 260 toforward telephone calls for a telephone 210 associated with mobilestation 208 to mobile station 208 at step 404. This may include, forexample, gatekeeper 266 or WARP 252 invoking one or more features 212,228, 230, 232 of PBX 260 using at least one of CTI interface 216, trunkor line interface 214, administration port 278, teleworking server 272,and telephone emulator card 274. PBX 260 forwards calls for telephone210 to mobile station 208 at step 406. This may include, for example,PBX 260 receiving a telephone call for a telephone 210 and forwardingthe call to gateway 258.

[0067]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary method 500for forwarding calls for a telephone 210 to a mobile station 208. Amobile station 208 registers with system 200 at step 502. This mayinclude, for example, a subscriber turning on mobile station 208 orroaming into range of a base station 250 in system 200. This may alsoinclude mobile station 208 communicating a registration message to basestation 250, base station 250 forwarding the information to WARP 252,and WARP 252 informing gatekeeper 266 of the registration. System 200instructs PBX 260 to monitor a telephone 210 at step 504. This mayinclude, for example, a processor 224 in WARP 252 or gatekeeper 266instructing a processor 218 in PBX 260 to monitor a particular telephone210 using monitoring feature 230. PBX 260 listens for an alert event atstep 506. An alert event is generated when an incoming call for atelephone 210 has been received by PBX 260. PBX 260 detects an alert atstep 508. This indicates that someone has placed an incoming call totelephone 210, and an alert signal has been communicated to telephone210 to cause telephone 210 to ring. PBX 260 deflects the incoming callfrom the monitored telephone 210 to mobile station 208 at step 510. Thismay include, for example, processor 218 in PBX 260 redirecting theincoming call using deflection feature 232 to gateway 258, whichforwards the incoming call to mobile station 208.

[0068]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating yet another exemplary method600 for forwarding calls for a telephone 210 to a mobile station 208.Mobile station 208 registers with system 200 at step 602. This mayinclude, for example, a subscriber turning on mobile station 208 orroaming into system 200. Teleworking server 272 is instructed to treatmobile station 208 as a remote location for a telephone 210 at step 604.This may include, for example, mobile station 208, WARP 252, and/orgatekeeper 266 communicating the instructions to teleworking server 272.Teleworking server 272 instructs PBX 260 to forward calls for telephone210 to mobile station 208 at step 606. This may include, for example,teleworking server 272 instructing PBX 260 to forward the calls togateway 258 using remote call forwarding feature 228 and call forwardingfeature 212. PBX 260 forwards calls for telephone 210 to mobile station208 at step 608. This may include, for example, PBX 260 forwarding thecalls for telephone 210 to gateway 258, which forwards the calls tomobile station 208.

[0069]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 700 forsynchronizing call forwarding in a communication system. A mobilestation 208 registers with system 200 at step 702. This may include, forexample, mobile station 208 being turned on or roaming into system 200.System 200 synchronizes the call forwarding destinations in thedifferent components of system 200 at step 704. If neither mobilestation 208 nor telephone 210 is forwarded to a specific destination,this may include system 200 forwarding telephone 210 to mobile station208. If one of mobile station 208 or telephone 210 is forwarded to aspecific destination, this may include ensuring that both mobile station208 and telephone 210 are forwarded to the same destination. If mobilestation 208 and telephone 210 are forwarded to different destinations,this may include forwarding one of the devices 208, 210 to thedestination of the other 210, 208.

[0070] A change to the call forwarding feature in either telephone 210or mobile station 208 is made at step 706. This may include, forexample, a subscriber forwarding mobile station 208 or telephone 210 toa new destination. System 200 maintains call forwarding synchronizationat step 708. This may include, for example, ensuring either that mobilestation 208 and telephone 210 are forwarded to the same destination,telephone 210 is forwarded to mobile station 208, or mobile station 208is forwarded to telephone 210. Mobile station 208 deregisters withsystem 200 at step 710. This may include, for example, a subscriberturning off mobile station 208 or roaming outside of system 200. System200 restores the call forwarding in system 200 at step 712. This mayinclude, for example, system 200 determining if telephone 210 isforwarded to mobile station 208 or to another destination. If telephone210 is forwarded to mobile station 208, system 200 turns the callforwarding feature off for telephone 210. Otherwise, system 200 does notchange the call forwarding destination for telephone 210.

[0071] Although FIG. 7 has been described with respect to system 200,method 700 may be used with any suitable communication system. Method700 may be used, for example, in a system having a packet subsystem 104and a telephone subsystem 106, without a wireless subsystem 102. In thisembodiment, method 700 may synchronize call forwarding for a telephone110 and a packet-based client coupled to packet subsystem 104. Method700 could also be used in a system having a wireless subsystem 102 and atelephone subsystem 106, without a packet subsystem 104.

[0072]FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 800 forestablishing a call forwarding destination for a mobile station 208.Telephone 210 is forwarded to a specific destination, called “locationX,” at step 802. This may include, for example, a user of telephone 210manually forwarding telephone 210 to the specific destination. Mobilestation 208 registers with system 200 at step 804. System 200 forwardscalls for mobile station 208 to the specific destination at step 806.This may include, for example, gatekeeper 266 and/or WARP 252 receivingthe specific destination from PBX 260. This may also include WARP 252and/or gatekeeper 266 routing datagrams destined for mobile station 208to the forwarded location. This helps to synchronize call forwarding insystem 200 by ensuring that calls for the subscriber are routed to thesame location, whether the incoming calls are directed at mobile station208 or telephone 210.

[0073] The subscriber turns off the call forwarding feature for mobilestation 208 at step 808. This may include the subscriber manuallyentering a code on mobile station 208 to deactivate the call forwarding.This may also include WARP 252 and/or gatekeeper 266 receiving theinstruction to deactivate call forwarding for the mobile station 208.System 200 sets the call forwarding for the telephone 210 to the mobilestation 208 at step 810. This may include, for example, WARP 252 and/orgatekeeper 266 instructing PBX 260 to forward calls for telephone 210 tomobile station 208. This also helps to synchronize call forwarding insystem 200 by ensuring that calls for the subscriber are routed to themobile station 208.

[0074]FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 900 forestablishing a call forwarding destination for a telephone 210associated with a mobile station 208. Method 900 begins at step 902,where the call forwarding feature of a mobile station 208 is turned off,or not set to a specified location. Mobile station 208 registers withsystem 200 at step 904, and system 200 forwards calls for the associatedtelephone 210 to the mobile station 208 at step 906. This helps toensure call forward synchronization in system 200 by directing calls forthe subscriber to the subscriber's mobile station 208.

[0075] The subscriber activates the call forwarding feature and forwardscalls for mobile station 208 to a specific destination, labeled“location Y,” at step 908. This may include, for example, the subscribermanually entering a code on mobile station 208 to forward mobile station208 to the specific destination. This may also include WARP 252 and/orgatekeeper 266 receiving the new destination for mobile station 208.System 200 forwards calls for the associated telephone 210 to the samedestination at step 910. This may include, for example, WARP 252 and/orgatekeeper 266 instructing PBX 260 to forward calls for telephone 210 tothe new destination. This helps to synchronize call forwarding in system200 by ensuring that calls for the subscriber are forwarded to the samedestination, whether the calls are directed at the subscriber's mobilestation 208 or telephone 210.

[0076]FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary method1000 for establishing a call forwarding destination for a telephone 210associated with a mobile station 208. Mobile station 208 registers withsystem 200 at step 1002. A subscriber forwards calls for a telephone 210associated with mobile station 208 to a specific destination, called“location Z,” at step 1004. System 200 also activates the callforwarding feature for mobile station 208 and forwards calls for mobilestation 208 to the same specific destination at step 1006. Calls for thesubscriber are forwarded to the destination at step 1008, whether thecalls are directed at the mobile station 208 or the telephone 210.

[0077] Call forwarding is deactivated for the telephone 210 at step1010, such as by manually deactivating the call forwarding feature.System 200 starts a timer at step 1012. Gatekeeper 266 and/or WARP 252may set the timer to any suitable duration, such as fifteen seconds.System 200 determines if another call forwarding destination fortelephone 210 is entered at step 1014. This may include, for example,WARP 252 and/or gatekeeper 266 determining if another destination hasbeen entered. If another destination is entered before the timerelapses, system 200 sets the call forwarding destination for thetelephone 210 to the new destination at step 1016. To maintainsynchronization, system 200 also forwards mobile station 208 to the newdestination at step 1018.

[0078] If system 200 does not detect a new destination at step 1014,system 200 checks whether the timer has elapsed at step 1020. If thetimer has not elapsed, system 200 returns to step 1014 to await a newcall forwarding destination. When the timer elapses, system 200 sets thecall forwarding destination for telephone 210 to mobile station 208.System 200 maintains call forwarding synchronization by ensuring thatcalls for the subscriber are routed to the mobile station 208.

[0079]FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 1100for establishing a call forwarding destination for a telephone 210associated with a deregistered mobile station 208. A mobile station 208deregisters with system 200 at step 1102. This may include, for example,a subscriber turning off mobile station 208 or roaming outside of system200. System 200 determines if telephone 210 is forwarded at step 1104.This may include, for example, WARP 252 and/or gatekeeper 266determining if the call forwarding feature 212 for telephone 210 hasbeen activated. If telephone 210 is not forwarded, method 1100 ends.Call forwarding in system 200 is synchronized because telephone 210 isnot forwarded to a deregistered mobile station 208.

[0080] If call forwarding for telephone 210 is active, system 200determines if telephone 210 is forwarded to the mobile station 208 atstep 1106. This may include, for example, WARP 252 and/or gatekeeper 266determining if telephone 210 has been forwarded to gateway 258. If not,method 1100 ends. Call forwarding in system 200 is synchronized becausetelephone 210 is not forwarded to a deregistered mobile station 208. Iftelephone 210 is forwarded to the mobile station 208 at step 1106,system 200 deactivates the call forwarding for telephone 210 at step1108. Because telephone 210 is forwarded to a deregistered mobilestation 208, system 200 deactivates call forwarding for telephone 210 tomaintain synchronization in system 200.

[0081]FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating yet another exemplarysystem 1200 for call forwarding. In the illustrated embodiment, system1200 includes a base station 1250, a central office 1280, a cable box1282, and a converter box 1284. Other embodiments of system 1200 may beused without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0082] Central office 1280 is coupled to telephones 1210 and cable box1282. Central office 1280 facilitates communication in system 1200, suchas between two telephones 1210 or between a telephone 1210 and cable box1282. Central office 1280 may comprise any suitable circuit-switchedand/or packet-switched system, such as one or more Class 5 switches.

[0083] Cable box 1282 is coupled to central office 1280 and converterbox 1284. Cable box 1282 facilitates communication between centraloffice 1280 and converter box 1284. In one embodiment, cable box 1282communicates with central office 1280 using a first protocol and withconverter box 1284 using a second protocol. For example, cable box 1282may communicate with converter box 1284 using a packet over cableprotocol, and cable box 1282 may communicate with central office 1280using a Bellcore GR-303 interface, a V5.2 interface, or a V5.3interface. In this embodiment, cable box 1282 may convert and packetizeinformation from central office 1280 for communication to converter box1284. Cable box 1282 may also convert and depacketize information fromconverter box 1284 for communication to central office 1280. Cable box1282 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, or combinationthereof operable to facilitate communication of voice informationbetween central office 1280 and converter box 1284.

[0084] Converter box 1284 is coupled to cable box 1282, one or moredevices 1286, and base station 1250. Converter box 1284 is operable toreceive information from cable box 1282 and to communicate theinformation to one or more devices 1286 or base station 1250. In oneembodiment, converter box 1284 may receive audio and video information,voice information, and/or data from cable box 1282. Converter box 1284may communicate the audio and video information to a television 1286 a,the voice information to a telephone 1286 b or base station 1250, andthe data to a computing device 1286c. Converter box 1284 may alsoreceive information from devices 1286 and/or base station 1250, such asvoice information from device 1286 b and/or base station 1250. Converterbox 1284 is operable to communicate the information to central office1280 through cable box 1282.

[0085] In one aspect of operation, when mobile station 1208 comes withinrange of base station 1250, a signal may be sent through converter box1284 and cable box 1282 to central office 1280. A call forwardingfeature 1212 or other feature in central office 1280 may cause callsdirected at a telephone 1210 to be forwarded to mobile station 1208.Also, because calls for telephone 1286 b may be routed through centraloffice 1280, call forwarding feature 1212 or another feature of centraloffice 1280 may be used to forward calls for telephone 1286 b to mobilestation 1208. When mobile station 1208 roams outside of the range ofbase station 1250, a signal may be sent to central office 1280instructing central office 1280 to stop forwarding calls to mobilestation 1208.

[0086] In a particular embodiment, devices 1286 may be located in aresidence 1292, such as a house or apartment. As an example, television1286a may receive cable television services, phone 1286 b may receivevoice over cable services, and computing device 1286 c may receive cablemodem services through converter box 1284. To provide wireless servicesin residence 1292, a base station 1250, such as an antenna with a rangeof 300 feet, may be installed in residence 1292. When mobile station1208 roams within the range of base station 1250, central office 1280may be instructed to forward calls for a telephone 1210 to mobilestation 1208. Telephone 1210 could, for example, represent a desk phoneat the office of the subscriber using mobile station 1208, and callsdirected to the subscriber's office would be forwarded to mobile station1208. Also, because calls for telephone 1286 b may be routed throughcentral office 1280, central office 1280 may forward calls for telephone1286 b to mobile station 1208. This may allow, for example, all callsfor the subscriber to be forwarded to mobile station 1208, whether thecalls are directed at telephone 1210, telephone 1286 b in residence1292, or mobile station 1208.

[0087] Although FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of system 1200,various changes may be made to system 1200 without departing from thescope of the present invention. For example, system 1200 may includesome or none of devices 1286. Also, in another embodiment, converter box1284 may not possess the ability to directly communicate information toand receive information from base station 1250, and a WARP may becoupled between base station 1250 and converter box 1284 to facilitatecommunication.

[0088]FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating still another exemplarysystem 1300 for call forwarding. In the illustrated embodiment, system1300 includes a voice over packet subsystem 1304 and a telephonesubsystem 1306. Other embodiments of system 1300 may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

[0089] In the illustrated embodiment, telephone subsystem 1306 may bethe same or similar to telephone subsystem 106 of FIG. 1 and/or PBX 260of FIG. 2. For example, telephone subsystem 1306 may include a callforwarding feature 1312, a remote call forwarding feature 1328, a callmonitoring feature 1330, a call deflection feature 1332, a processor1318, and a memory 1320. Telephone subsystem 1306 may also communicatewith one or more telephones 1310.

[0090] In the illustrated embodiment, packet subsystem 1304 includes avoice over packet client 1350, a gateway 1358, and a gatekeeper 1366.Client 1350 is coupled to gatekeeper 1366 and gateway 1358. Client 1350facilitates the communication of packet voice information to telephonesubsystem 1306. Client 1350 may, for example, receive voice information,packetize the information, and communicate the packets to gateway 1358.Client 1350 may also receive packets of voice information from gateway1358 and extract the information. In one embodiment, client 1350 mayoperate in an active state or a non-active state. The active stateindicates that calls directed at a telephone 1310 associated with client1350 should be forwarded to client 1350. The non-active state indicatesthat calls directed at client 1350 should be forwarded to the telephone1310 associated with client 1350. Client 1350 may comprise any hardware,software, firmware, or combination thereof operable to provide packetvoice services in system 1300. Client 1350 may, for example, comprise avoice over packet telephone, a computing device, or a gateway operableto communicate with another communications system. In a particularembodiment, client 1350 comprises a Wireless Adjunct Internet Platformoperable to facilitate communication between packet subsystem 1304 and awireless system.

[0091] Gateway 1358 and gatekeeper 1366 may be the same or similar togateway 258 and gatekeeper 266, respectively, of FIG. 2. In theillustrated embodiment, gatekeeper 1366 is coupled to client 1350,gateway 1358, and telephone subsystem 1306. Gatekeeper 1366 is operableto communicate signaling information to client 1350, gateway 1358, andtelephone subsystem 1306. Gatekeeper 1366 may communicate the signalinginformation to telephone subsystem 1306 over CTI interface 1316 orthrough gateway 1358. Gatekeeper 1366 is also operable to instructtelephone subsystem 1306 to forward a call for a telephone 1310 to aclient 1350 when client 1350 is in the active state. Gatekeeper 1366 isfurther operable to instruct gateway 1358 to forward a call for a client1350 to a telephone 1310 when client 1350 is in the non-active state.Gatekeeper 1366 may comprise any hardware, software, firmware, orcombination thereof operable to instruct telephone subsystem 1306 and/orgateway 1358 to forward calls in system 1300.

[0092] Gateway 1358 is coupled to client 1350, gatekeeper 1366, andtelephone subsystem 1306. Gateway 1358 facilitates communication betweenclient 1350 and telephone subsystem 1306. Gateway 1358 may, for example,receive packets containing voice information from client 1350, extractthe voice information, and communicate the information to telephonesubsystem 1306. Gateway 1358 may also receive voice information fromtelephone system 1306, packetize the information, and communicate thepackets to client 1350. In addition, gateway 1358 may facilitate thecommunication of signaling information between gatekeeper 1366 andtelephone subsystem 1306 over interface 1314. Gateway 1358 may compriseany hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof operable tofacilitate communication between client 1350 and telephone subsystem1306.

[0093] In one aspect of operation, when client 1350 is activated, client1350 registers with gatekeeper 1366. Gatekeeper 1366 instructs telephonesubsystem 1306 to forward calls directed at the telephone 1310associated with client 1350 to gateway 1358. Gatekeeper 1366 may alsoinstruct gateway 1358 not to forward calls for client 1350 to telephonesubsystem 1306. When telephone subsystem 1306 receives a call directedat client 1350 or the associated telephone 1310, telephone subsystem1306 forwards the call to gateway 1358, which communicates the call toclient 1350. If a second client 1350 attempts to call the first client1350, the call may be routed through packet subsystem 1304 without beingrouted through telephone subsystem 1306.

[0094] When client 1350 is deactivated, or enters the non-active state,client 1350 deregisters with gatekeeper 1366. Gatekeeper 1366 instructstelephone subsystem 1306 to stop forwarding calls to client 1350, andgatekeeper 1366 instructs gateway 1358 to forward calls for client 1350to the associated telephone 1310. If packet subsystem 1304 receives acall for the deactivated client 1350, such as from another client 1350,gatekeeper 1366 routes the call through telephone subsystem 1306 to thetelephone 1310 associated with the deactivated client 1350.

[0095] In a particular embodiment, client 1350 comprises a gateway to awireless network, such as a Wireless Adjunct Internet Platform. In thisembodiment, client 1350 may operate in an active state when a mobilestation is registered with the wireless network. Similarly, client 1350may operate in a non-active state when no mobile stations are registeredwith the wireless network.

[0096] Gatekeeper 1366 may use any suitable method for instructingtelephone subsystem 1306 to forward calls for a telephone 1310 togateway 1358. Gatekeeper 1366 may, for example, use method 1400illustrated in FIG. 14, or the methods illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 whereclient 1350 takes the place of the mobile station in methods 300-600.Also, system 1300 may use any suitable method for maintaining callforwarding synchronization. This may include, for example, system 1300using the methods illustrated in FIGS. 7-11, with client 1350 taking theplace of the mobile station in methods 700-1100.

[0097] Although FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of system 1300,various changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. For example, any number and/or types of clients 1350may be coupled to a gatekeeper 1366 and a gateway 1358. Also, any numberof gatekeepers 1366 and/or gateways 1358 may be coupled to telephonesubsystem 1306. Other changes may be made to system 1300 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

[0098]FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary method1400 for call forwarding in a communications system. System 1300determines the state of a client 1350 at step 1402. This may include,for example, gatekeeper 1366 determining if the client 1350 isregistered with gatekeeper 1366. Registered clients 1350 may be in anactive state, while unregistered clients 1350 are in the non-activestate. System 1300 determines if client 1350 is in an active state atstep 1404. If client 1350 is in an active state, system 1300 instructstelephone subsystem 1306 to forward calls directed at a telephone 1310to the associated client 1350 at step 1406. This may include, forexample, gatekeeper 1366 instructing telephone subsystem 1306 to forwardcalls for telephone 1310 using call forwarding feature 1312, remote callforwarding feature 1328, call monitoring feature 1330, and/or calldeflection feature 1332. At this point, system 1300 may route calls fora user of client 1350 to client 1350, whether the calls are directed atclient 1350 or telephone 1310.

[0099] If client 1350 is in the non-active state at step 1404, system1300 instructs gateway 1358 to forward calls for client 1350 totelephone 1310 at step 1408. This may include, for example, gatekeeper1366 instructing gateway 1358 to forward calls for client 1350 totelephone subsystem 1306. At this point, system 1300 routes calls forthe user of client 1350 to the associated telephone 1310, whether thecalls are directed at client 1350 or telephone 1310.

[0100] Although the present invention has been described with severalembodiments, a number of changes, substitutions, variations,alterations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in theart, and it is intended that the invention encompass all such changes,substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications that fallwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for call forwarding synchronization,comprising: allowing a telephone subsystem to forward calls for atelephonic device to a first call forwarding destination; allowing awireless subsystem to forward calls for a mobile station to a secondcall forwarding destination, the mobile station associated with thetelephonic device; determining a registration state of the mobilestation; and synchronizing the call forwarding destinations for themobile station and the telephonic device in response to a change to atleast one of the registration state, the first call forwardingdestination, and the second call forwarding destination.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first call forwarding destination is not setbefore registration of the mobile station; and wherein synchronizing thecall forwarding destinations comprises: instructing the telephonesubsystem upon registration of the mobile station to set the first callforwarding destination to the mobile station; and instructing thewireless subsystem to clear the second call forwarding destination. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the first call forwarding destination isset to a destination other than the mobile station before registrationof the mobile station; and wherein synchronizing the call forwardingdestinations comprises instructing the wireless subsystem uponregistration of the mobile station to set the second call forwardingdestination to the same destination as the first call forwardingdestination.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second callforwarding destination is set to a destination other than the telephonicdevice after registration of the mobile station; and whereinsynchronizing the call forwarding destinations comprises instructing thetelephone subsystem to set the first call forwarding destination to thesame destination as the second call forwarding destination.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first call forwarding destination is setto a destination other than the mobile station after registration of themobile station; and wherein synchronizing the call forwardingdestinations comprises instructing the wireless subsystem to set thesecond call forwarding destination to the same destination as the firstcall forwarding destination.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thesecond call forwarding destination is cleared after registration of themobile station; and wherein synchronizing the call forwardingdestinations comprises instructing the telephone subsystem to set thefirst call forwarding destination to the mobile station.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first call forwarding destination is clearedafter registration of the mobile station; and wherein synchronizing thecall forwarding destinations comprises: starting a timer; instructingthe telephone subsystem to set the first call forwarding destination tothe mobile station and instructing the wireless subsystem to clear thesecond call forwarding destination if a new destination is not providedbefore the timer elapses; and instructing the telephone subsystem to setthe first call forwarding destination to the new destination andinstructing the wireless subsystem to set the second call forwardingdestination to the same destination as the first call forwardingdestination if the new destination is provided before the timer elapses.8. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the call forwardingdestinations comprises: determining upon deregistration of the mobilestation if the first call forwarding destination is set to the mobilestation; and instructing the telephone subsystem to clear the first callforwarding destination if the first call forwarding destination is setto the mobile station.
 9. A system for call forwarding synchronization,comprising: at least one computer processable medium; and logic encodedon the at least one computer processable medium and operable to: allow atelephone subsystem to forward calls for a telephonic device to a firstcall forwarding destination; allow a wireless subsystem to forward callsfor a mobile station to a second call forwarding destination, the mobilestation associated with the telephonic device; determine a registrationstate of the mobile station; and synchronize the call forwardingdestinations for the mobile station and the telephonic device inresponse to a change to at least one of the registration state, thefirst call forwarding destination, and the second call forwardingdestination.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first callforwarding destination is not set before registration of the mobilestation; and wherein the logic is operable to synchronize the callforwarding destinations by: instructing the telephone subsystem uponregistration of the mobile station to set the first call forwardingdestination to the mobile station; and instructing the wirelesssubsystem to clear the second call forwarding destination.
 11. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the first call forwarding destination is setto a destination other than the mobile station before registration ofthe mobile station; and wherein the logic is operable to synchronize thecall forwarding destinations by instructing the wireless subsystem uponregistration of the mobile station to set the second call forwardingdestination to the same destination as the first call forwardingdestination.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the second callforwarding destination is set to a destination other than the telephonicdevice after registration of the mobile station; and wherein the logicis operable to synchronize the call forwarding destinations byinstructing the telephone subsystem to set the first call forwardingdestination to the same destination as the second call forwardingdestination.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the first callforwarding destination is set to a destination other than the mobilestation after registration of the mobile station; and wherein the logicis operable to synchronize the call forwarding destinations byinstructing the wireless subsystem to set the second call forwardingdestination to the same destination as the first call forwardingdestination.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the second callforwarding destination is cleared after registration of the mobilestation; and wherein the logic is operable to synchronize the callforwarding destinations by instructing the telephone subsystem to setthe first call forwarding destination to the mobile station.
 15. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the first call forwarding destination iscleared after registration of the mobile station; and wherein the logicis operable to synchronize the call forwarding destinations by: startinga timer; instructing the telephone subsystem to set the first callforwarding destination to the mobile station and instructing thewireless subsystem to clear the second call forwarding destination if anew destination is not provided before the timer elapses; andinstructing the telephone subsystem to set the first call forwardingdestination to the new destination and instructing the wirelesssubsystem to set the second call forwarding destination to the samedestination as the first call forwarding destination if the newdestination is provided before the timer elapses.
 16. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the logic is operable to synchronize the callforwarding destinations by: determining upon deregistration of themobile station if the first call forwarding destination is set to themobile station; and instructing the telephone subsystem to clear thefirst call forwarding destination if the first call forwardingdestination is set to the mobile station.
 17. A system for callforwarding synchronization, comprising: a telephone subsystem operableto communicate with a telephonic device, the telephone subsystem alsooperable to forward calls for the telephonic device to a first callforwarding destination; and a wireless subsystem operable to communicatewith a mobile station, the mobile station associated with the telephonicdevice, the wireless subsystem also operable to forward calls for themobile station to a second call forwarding destination, the wirelesssubsystem further operable to determine a registration state of themobile station and to synchronize the call forwarding destinations forthe mobile station and the telephonic device in response to a change toat least one of the registration state, the first call forwardingdestination, and the second call forwarding destination.
 18. The systemof claim 17, wherein the first call forwarding destination is not setbefore registration of the mobile station; and wherein the wirelesssubsystem is operable to synchronize the call forwarding destinationsby: instructing the telephone subsystem upon registration of the mobilestation to set the first call forwarding destination to the mobilestation; and clearing the second call forwarding destination.
 19. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the first call forwarding destination is setto a destination other than the mobile station before registration ofthe mobile station; and wherein the wireless subsystem is operable tosynchronize the call forwarding destinations by setting the second callforwarding destination to the same destination as the first callforwarding destination upon registration of the mobile station.
 20. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the second call forwarding destination isset to a destination other than the telephonic device after registrationof the mobile station; and wherein the wireless subsystem is operable tosynchronize the call forwarding destinations by instructing thetelephone subsystem to set the first call forwarding destination to thesame destination as the second call forwarding destination.
 21. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the first call forwarding destination is setto a destination other than the mobile station after registration of themobile station; and wherein the wireless subsystem is operable tosynchronize the call forwarding destinations by setting the second callforwarding destination to the same destination as the first callforwarding destination.
 22. The system of claim 17, wherein the secondcall forwarding destination is cleared after registration of the mobilestation; and wherein the wireless subsystem is operable to synchronizethe call forwarding destinations by instructing the telephone subsystemto set the first call forwarding destination to the mobile station. 23.The system of claim 17, wherein the first call forwarding destination iscleared after registration of the mobile station; and wherein thewireless subsystem is operable to synchronize the call forwardingdestinations by: starting a timer; instructing the telephone subsystemto set the first call forwarding destination to the mobile station andclearing the second call forwarding destination if a new destination isnot provided before the timer elapses; and instructing the telephonesubsystem to set the first call forwarding destination to the newdestination and setting the second call forwarding destination to thesame destination as the first call forwarding destination if the newdestination is provided before the timer elapses.
 24. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the wireless subsystem is operable to synchronize thecall forwarding destinations by: determining upon deregistration of themobile station if the first call forwarding destination is set to themobile station; and instructing the telephone subsystem to clear thefirst call forwarding destination if the first call forwardingdestination is set to the mobile station.
 25. The system of claim 17,wherein the wireless subsystem comprises: a base station operable tocommunicate with the mobile station; a wireless adjunct internetplatform operable to communicate with the base station; a gatewayoperable to communicate with the wireless adjunct internet platform andthe telephone subsystem; and a gatekeeper operable to generate signalingmessages to control the telephone subsystem.
 26. The system of claim 25,wherein: the telephone subsystem comprises a private branch exchange;the wireless adjunct internet platform is operable to communicate withthe mobile station through the base station using a Global System forMobile communication (GSM) standard; and the wireless adjunct internetplatform, the gateway, and the gatekeeper communication using anInternational Telecommunications Union-Telecommunications (ITU-T) H.323standard.
 27. A method for call forwarding synchronization, comprising:allowing a telephone subsystem to forward calls for a telephonic deviceto a first call forwarding destination; allowing a wireless subsystem toforward calls for a mobile station to a second call forwardingdestination, the mobile station associated with the telephonic device;determining a registration state of the mobile station; instructing thetelephone subsystem upon registration of the mobile station to set thefirst call forwarding destination to the mobile station and instructingthe wireless subsystem to clear the second call forwarding destinationif the first call forwarding destination is not set; instructing thewireless subsystem upon registration of the mobile station to set thesecond call forwarding destination to the same destination as the firstcall forwarding destination if the first call forwarding destination isset to a destination other than the mobile station; instructing thetelephone subsystem to set the first call forwarding destination to thesame destination as the second call forwarding destination if the secondcall forwarding destination is set to a destination other than thetelephonic device after registration of the mobile station; instructingthe wireless subsystem to set the second call forwarding destination tothe same destination as the first call forwarding destination if thefirst call forwarding destination is set to a destination other than themobile station after registration of the mobile station; instructing thetelephone subsystem to set the first call forwarding destination to themobile station if the second call forwarding destination is clearedafter registration of the mobile station; instructing the telephonesubsystem to set the first call forwarding destination to the mobilestation and instructing the wireless subsystem to clear the second callforwarding destination if a new destination is not provided before atimer elapses when the first call forwarding destination is clearedafter registration of the mobile station; instructing the telephonesubsystem to set the first call forwarding destination to a newdestination and instructing the wireless subsystem to set the secondcall forwarding destination to the same destination as the first callforwarding destination if a new destination is provided before the timerelapses when the first call forwarding destination is cleared afterregistration of the mobile station; and instructing the telephonesubsystem upon deregistration of the mobile station to clear the firstcall forwarding destination if the first call forwarding destination isset to the mobile station.
 28. A system for call forwardingsynchronization, comprising: at least one computer processable medium;and logic encoded on the at least one computer processable medium andoperable to: allow a telephone subsystem to forward calls for atelephonic device to a first call forwarding destination; allow awireless subsystem to forward calls for a mobile station to a secondcall forwarding destination, the mobile station associated with thetelephonic device; determine a registration state of the mobile station;instruct the telephone subsystem upon registration of the mobile stationto set the first call forwarding destination to the mobile station andinstructing the wireless subsystem to clear the second call forwardingdestination if the first call forwarding destination is not set;instruct the wireless subsystem upon registration of the mobile stationto set the second call forwarding destination to the same destination asthe first call forwarding destination if the first call forwardingdestination is set to a destination other than the mobile station;instruct the telephone subsystem to set the first call forwardingdestination to the same destination as the second call forwardingdestination if the second call forwarding destination is set to adestination other than the telephonic device after registration of themobile station; instruct the wireless subsystem to set the second callforwarding destination to the same destination as the first callforwarding destination if the first call forwarding destination is setto a destination other than the mobile station after registration of themobile station; instruct the telephone subsystem to set the first callforwarding destination to the mobile station if the second callforwarding destination is cleared after registration of the mobilestation; instruct the telephone subsystem to set the first callforwarding destination to the mobile station and instructing thewireless subsystem to clear the second call forwarding destination if anew destination is not provided before a timer elapses when the firstcall forwarding destination is cleared after registration of the mobilestation; instruct the telephone subsystem to set the first callforwarding destination to a new destination and instructing the wirelesssubsystem to set the second call forwarding destination to the samedestination as the first call forwarding destination if a newdestination is provided before the timer elapses when the first callforwarding destination is cleared after registration of the mobilestation; and instruct the telephone subsystem upon deregistration of themobile station to clear the first call forwarding destination if thefirst call forwarding destination is set to the mobile station.
 29. Asystem for call forwarding synchronization, comprising: a telephonesubsystem operable to communicate with a telephonic device, thetelephone subsystem also operable to forward calls for the telephonicdevice to a first call forwarding destination; a wireless subsystemoperable to communicate with a mobile station, the mobile stationassociated with the telephonic device, the wireless subsystemcomprising: a base station operable to communicate with the mobilestation over a wireless interface; a wireless adjunct internet platformoperable to communicate with the base station; a gateway operable tocommunicate with the wireless adjunct internet platform and thetelephone subsystem; a gatekeeper operable to forward calls for themobile station to a second call forwarding destination and to determinea registration state of the mobile station; the gatekeeper operable toinstruct the telephone subsystem upon registration of the mobile stationto set the first call forwarding destination to the mobile station andto clear the second call forwarding destination if the first callforwarding destination is not set; the gatekeeper operable uponregistration of the mobile station to set the second call forwardingdestination to the same destination as the first call forwardingdestination if the first call forwarding destination is set to adestination other than the mobile station; the gatekeeper operable toinstruct the telephone subsystem to set the first call forwardingdestination to the same destination as the second call forwardingdestination if the second call forwarding destination is set to adestination other than the telephonic device after registration of themobile station; the gatekeeper operable to set the second callforwarding destination to the same destination as the first callforwarding destination if the first call forwarding destination is setto a destination other than the mobile station after registration of themobile station; the gatekeeper operable to instruct the telephonesubsystem to set the first call forwarding destination to the mobilestation if the second call forwarding destination is cleared afterregistration of the mobile station; the gatekeeper operable to instructthe telephone subsystem to set the first call forwarding destination tothe mobile station and to clear the second call forwarding destinationif a new destination is not provided before a timer elapses when thefirst call forwarding destination is cleared after registration of themobile station; the gatekeeper operable to instruct the telephonesubsystem to set the first call forwarding destination to a newdestination and to set the second call forwarding destination to thesame destination as the first call forwarding destination if a newdestination is provided before the timer elapses when the first callforwarding destination is cleared after registration of the mobilestation; and the gatekeeper operable to instruct the telephone subsystemupon deregistration of the mobile station to clear the first callforwarding destination if the first call forwarding destination is setto the mobile station.
 30. A system for call forwarding synchronization,comprising: a telephone subsystem operable to communicate with atelephonic device, the telephone subsystem also operable to forwardcalls for the telephonic device to a first call forwarding destination;a client operable to communicate with the telephonic subsystem, theclient associated with the telephonic device; a gateway operable tocommunicate with the client; and a gatekeeper operable to instruct thegateway to forward calls for the client to a second call forwardingdestination, the gatekeeper also operable to determine an activationstate of the client and to synchronize the call forwarding destinationsfor the telephonic device and the client in response to a change to atleast one of the activation state, the first call forwardingdestination, and the second call forwarding destination.
 31. The systemof claim 30, wherein: the client comprises a gateway to a wirelesssubsystem, the wireless subsystem operable to communicate with a mobilestation; the client activates when the mobile station registers with thewireless subsystem; and the client deactivates when the mobile stationderegisters with the wireless subsystem.
 32. The system of claim 30,wherein the client comprises at least one of a voice over packettelephone, a computing device, and a gateway operable to communicatewith another communication system.
 33. A method for call forwardingsynchronization, comprising: allowing a telephone subsystem to forwardcalls for a telephonic device to a first call forwarding destination;allowing a gateway to forward calls for a client to a second callforwarding destination, the client associated with the telephonicdevice; determining an activation state of the client; and synchronizingthe call forwarding destinations for the telephonic device and theclient in response to a change to at least one of the activation state,the first call forwarding destination, and the second call forwardingdestination.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein: the client comprises agateway to a wireless subsystem, the wireless subsystem operable tocommunicate with a mobile station; the client activates when the mobilestation registers with the wireless subsystem; and the clientdeactivates when the mobile station deregisters with the wirelesssubsystem.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein the client comprises atleast one of a voice over packet telephone, a computing device, and agateway operable to communicate with another communication system.
 36. Asystem for call forwarding synchronization, comprising: at least onecomputer processable medium; and logic encoded on the at least onecomputer processable medium and operable to: allow a telephone subsystemto forward calls for a telephonic device to a first call forwardingdestination; allow a gateway to forward calls for a client to a secondcall forwarding destination, the client associated with the telephonicdevice; determine an activation state of the client; and synchronize thecall forwarding destinations for the telephonic device and the client inresponse to a change to at least one of the activation state, the firstcall forwarding destination, and the second call forwarding destination.37. The system of claim 36, wherein: the client comprises a gateway to awireless subsystem, the wireless subsystem operable to communicate witha mobile station; the client activates when the mobile station registerswith the wireless subsystem; and the client deactivates when the mobilestation deregisters with the wireless subsystem.
 38. The system of claim36, wherein the client comprises at least one of a voice over packettelephone, a computing device, and a gateway operable to communicatewith another communication system.